Relational Gestalt Practice: Open Seat Intensive

For eight transformative days in Big Sur, you'll have the opportunity to unwind the relational patterns that have shaped how you show up in the world—and discover the authentic contact that lies beneath them. Led by experienced facilitator Dorothy Charles, Relational Gestalt Practice: Open Seat Intensive is a healing workshop designed for anyone ready to examine the invisible threads connecting their early relationships to their present struggles with intimacy, communication, and genuine self-expression. Held at the legendary Esalen Institute, a sanctuary perched on the California coast where personal transformation has unfolded for decades, this intensive weaves together Gestalt theory and body-centered somatic practices to create real, tangible shifts in how you relate to yourself and others.

The workshop rests on a simple yet profound premise: the ways we learned to connect (or disconnect) in childhood become habitual patterns that often keep us from the authentic contact we deeply crave. Through group exploration, experiential exercises, and a private one-on-one open-seat session with Dorothy—witnessed and held by the group—you'll develop a new awareness of these patterns. More importantly, you'll cultivate the emotional attunement, honest self-expression, and relational skills needed to move through the world with greater presence, flexibility, and aliveness. This is not passive learning; it's embodied, emotional work that unfolds in a container of respect, kindness, and genuine acceptance.

What to Expect

Over eight days, you'll move between didactic teaching and hands-on experiential exploration. Dorothy will guide you into your body—through gesture, sensation, and emotion—as gateways into the places where you feel stuck and the places where you feel most alive. You'll work in small groups, exploring relational dynamics in real time, and you'll witness and support fellow participants as they deepen their own awareness. The highlight for many is the individual open-seat session: sitting across from Dorothy while the group surrounds you with their presence and compassionate attention, you'll have the chance to be fully seen and to practice new ways of showing up relationally. You'll leave with concrete insights into your own patterns, a felt sense of what authentic contact can feel like, and practical tools for continuing this work in your everyday relationships.

Venue & Logistics

This eight-day intensive takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California—one of the most transformative healing centers in North America, nestled on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The program begins Friday, November 27, 2026. Wear comfortable, layered clothing suitable for movement and emotional expression. Esalen's campus includes hot springs, gardens, and ocean views that support deep inner work. Check the Esalen website for accessibility information and lodging options on or near the grounds.